North Carolina is the #9 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,546,300 students across the 2,760 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are , serving 136,568 students). 92% of all K-12 students in North Carolina attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in North Carolina is 51%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 50%.
The top-ranked public schools in North Carolina are Brown Summit Middle School, Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy, and Highland Sch Of Technology. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 57%, with the majority being Black or Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 15:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in North Carolina (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Brown Summit Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥99% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
4720 Nc Highway 150 East
Browns Summit, NC 27214
(336) 656-0432
Browns Summit, NC 27214
(336) 656-0432
Rank: #22.
Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy
Charter School
(Math: 98% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 98% (Top 1%)
Reading: 98% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
5225 Seventy-seven Center Dr
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 503-1112
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 503-1112
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Highland Sch Of Technology
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1600 N Morris Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Nesbitt Discovery Academy
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
175 Bingham Rd Ste 10
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Quest Academy
Charter School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
10908 Strickland Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 841-0441
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 841-0441
Rank: #66.
White Oak Elementary School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 96% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
1512 White Oak Church Rd
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 694-0202
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 694-0202
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Central Academy Of Technology And Arts
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
600 Brewer Dr
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 296-3088
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 296-3088
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Rockingham Co Early College High School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-13
215 Wrenn Memorial Road
Wentworth, NC 27375
(336) 342-4261
Wentworth, NC 27375
(336) 342-4261
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Raleigh Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1307 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Union County Early College
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-13
4209a Old Charlotte Hwy
Monroe, NC 28110
(704) 290-1565
Monroe, NC 28110
(704) 290-1565
<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id="overview">Overview<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id="student-by-grade">Student By Grade<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id="state-rank">State Acdeamy<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id="students-by-ethnicity">Students by Ethnicity:<麻豆果冻传媒 class="so-dt-title" id="state-revenue-and-spending">State Revenue and Spending
This State (NC)
US
# Schools
2,760 Schools
100,795 Schools
# Students
1,546,300 Students
49,494,734 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
100,039 Teachers
3,241,124 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
State Average (NC)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)51%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)50%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)63%
43%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)86%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
68%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
5%
Diversity Score
0.71
0.70
# American Indian Students
16,970 Students
477,337 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
65,128 Students
2,755,585 Students
% Asian Students
4%
6%
# Hispanic Students
326,813 Students
14,721,043 Students
% Hispanic Students
21%
30%
# Black Students
379,907 Students
7,323,773 Students
% Black Students
25%
15%
# White Students
664,986 Students
21,491,186 Students
% White Students
43%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
2,147 Students
185,312 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
92,120 Students
2,514,798 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
This State (NC)
Total Revenue (23-24)
$17,307 MM
Spending (23-24)
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student (23-24)
$11,192
Spending / Student (23-24)
$11,617
<麻豆果冻传媒 class="list-title center">Best North Carolina Public Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: North Raleigh (18 schools), Douglas Byrd (15 schools), Downtown (13 schools), Terry Sanford (12 schools), Northeast Raleigh (12 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id='faq'>Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in North Carolina?
The top-ranked public schools in North Carolina include Brown Summit Middle School, Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy, and Highland Sch Of Technology.
How many public schools are located in North Carolina?
2,760 public schools are located in North Carolina.
What percentage of students in North Carolina go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in North Carolina attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in North Carolina?
Minority enrollment in North Carolina is 57%, with the majority being Black or Hispanic.
Which public schools in North Carolina are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in North Carolina include: Anson Co. Early College High School vs. Anson High School, Manchester Elementary School vs. William T Brown Elementary School, Robbinsville Middle School vs. Robbinsville High School
麻豆果冻传媒 Articles
Community Schools Model: Integrated Services and Long-Term Results
Explore the community schools model, how integrated services support students and families, and the long-term academic and social outcomes for public schools.
Standards Based Grading: How It Works and Transcript Impact
Learn how standards-based grading works in public schools, how it appears on transcripts, and what parents and colleges should understand.
Competency-Based Education Models in Public Schools
Explore how competency-based education models in public schools work, why districts are adopting mastery-based learning, and the benefits and challenges for students and educators.
